LUO FAN
I waited outside the door while Mingxia entered the chamber to inform Ruan Yanjun of my arrival.
I had no idea what he wanted from me this time that he had even instructed Mingxia to tell me to set aside whatever I was doing and come see him at once.
It must be an urgent matter.
A moment later, the servant returned and bowed to me. "Priest Luo, his lordship is waiting for you inside."
"Thank you," I said and took a deep breath before I walked in.
Of all places, why did he have to summon me in his sleeping chamber?
I wouldn't have minded it if he were a normal man, but he wasn't. There's just something peculiar about his behavior that disturbed me.
I found him sitting by the tea table, playing chess all by himself.
"Sit down," he said without even turning to look at me.
I slowly settled on the pillow across from him and laid the bamboo stick on the floor beside me.
"I had someone inquire about the Molun Herb that you've requested," he started as he put a piece on the chessboard. "He said that the herb has never been found in Xianru. I could send people to look all over the continent for it if needed, however, the plant is so rare no one has seen it."
I nodded. I had expected to hear that. The plant was one of the Nine Legendary Herbs according to an ancient scroll. Definitely, it's not that easy to locate it. Countless people had been trying to search for it. Even the wealthy nobles had hired men to scour places, but the herb seemed elusive, and even if they managed to find one, they had to deal with a level seven guardian that guarded it.
Compared to the other legendary herbs, the Molun was the least rare of them all. According to records, at least one Molun herb could be found in a year.
Yet despite being the least rare, it was the most widely sought after by both cultivators and non-cultivators because of its miracle healing power, especially for terminally ill people.
Two years ago, I was one of those lucky few to have found one that had grown at the foot of Frost Mountain. The level seven spirit guardian was the toughest opponent I had ever fought with. Although I was severely injured, I had gained invaluable insight from that battle which accelerated my cultivation. Just half a year after that, I had breached the grandmaster level on the very day I turned twenty-four.
"I understand," I replied after that long rumination. I knew that it was delusive of me to have even brought that herb out, but it was Ruan Yanjun himself who had forced me to name anything that had the potential to cure my ailment.
"According to my reading, the plant does not appear at random," he continued. "It follows a certain pattern. And this year, I have an idea where it might be. However, I have never seen that plant myself. The illustration in the book looks like any other ordinary weed. Perhaps the former Divine Mage can distinguish it from the rest of the weeds?"
I nodded. The Molun herb indeed looked like an ordinary weed at first glance that even an alchemist would have a hard time differentiating one from the other. But I had studied the herb thoroughly enough that I could tell its authenticity with just a touch.
"Is Lord Ruan planning to search for the legendary herb himself?" I asked.
"I am," he returned. "But this devil, as great as he is, is neither an alchemist nor a Divine Mage. You're the most qualified to identify the herb from the rest of the weeds."
Suddenly, I had a suspicion. "Where is this place that you want us to go to?"
"Why do you need to ask? Do you not trust me?"
"Is it in the West?"
He smirked, and that was enough to confirm my suspicion. "A-Fan, you are very smart."
I sighed. "Forgive me, my lord, but I'm not going."
"A-Fan, although I am very fond of you, I did not give you permission to refuse my order." There was a hint of warning in his voice.
I was speechless. The disciples were right about this man. He was not someone who'd take no for an answer.
"Don't worry, we won't go anywhere near the capital."
"But it will take us months to travel there. My wife is expecting me to be back soon."
"Your so-called wife is not going anywhere," he grunted.
His sudden change of mood puzzled me. I wasn't sure why every time I called Jinjing my wife, he'd get furious.
"Don't worry about her. I'll have someone to check on her regularly to make sure she's fine. I'll provide for her allowance, as well."
"I already owe you so much, Lord Ruan."
"The more reason for you to continue working for me. If you fail this, I'm taking back what I have paid you in advance."
I sighed, unable to say a word.
He rose to his feet, and then he approached me and held my chin. He lifted my face and turned it from side to side as if he was inspecting me. His hand was large, and if he chose to, he could easily snap my neck.
"The fact that you are unable to see hinders your progress," he said, his voice calm once again. His mood could shift at any moment it was impossible to predict when and how. "I have a way to restore your sight, but stop asking questions and just go where I take you."
I was about to ask what solution he had, but then his warning echoed in my mind. "I shall owe it to Lord Ruan if he can help me restore my sight."
"Then we have a deal. Follow me and you'll get your reward."
I was still hesitant, but I could not speak out my refusal. My hands were bound. Even though there were no actual ropes around my wrists, Ruan Yanjun's presence alone was a solid steel chain that I could not break away from. He'd kill me before I could even try anything.
He smirked as if he saw through my expression. "A-Fan," he said in a tender voice as he lightly brushed his fingers over the side of my face.
I shuddered. I wanted to push him away, but I was reluctant to offend him. As long as I could still bear it, I should not draw trouble for myself.
"You have nothing to be afraid of," he continued. "With me beside you, no one will dare harm you. Trust me on this, okay?"
Trust? Who in the world is foolish enough to trust Ruan Yanjun?
"When should we depart then?" I asked.
"In two days."
Dumbstruck, my lips parted. "How about New Year?"
"Does it look like New Year to you?"
I immediately understood what he meant. Even in a secluded place like Frost Mountain, New Year had never been this dull.
He sighed and stood up straight. "I can't stand the atmosphere of this place any longer. Let's go somewhere else."
"Are we not going to wait until the crown prince is buried at least?"
"That's why I want to leave right away. I don't want to be here when that happens."
I lowered my head and thought about Jinjing. If I were to leave, she'd be spending New Year alone, but if I insisted on going back to her, I'd have nothing to bring home to her anyway.
"Lord Ruan, may I borrow a pen and paper? I need to write a letter."
"For your so-called wife again?"
I nodded.
"Can you write?"
"Not as legibly as before, but I still can as long as there is light."
He sighed. "Fine. Follow me to my study." Without waiting for my response, he turned away.
For a moment, I hesitated.
Why would he take me to his study? Is he not afraid that I might snoop around and discover confidential matters?
'With your poor vision, how could you pose any threat to him?' a voice in my head answered.
Right. Blind as I am, what can I possibly find out?
"Are you coming or what?" Ruan Yanjun asked.
I turned in his direction and found him standing near the door, waiting for me.
I quickly stood up and followed him without saying a word.